About to install engineered hardwood floors over concrete slab... question???

I'm about to install engineered hardwood floors in my downstairs powder room. The house is on a concrete slab. The instructions talk about "wet areas," which includes bathrooms and powder rooms. The instructions talk about leaving a 5/16" to 3/8" expansion gap around the perimeter and around any pipes, etc. I understand that, but then it says:

Quote:

All perimter expansion areas must be completely filled in with a water repellant sealant, a silicone based sealant. When applying sealant, it is helpful to first apply a strip of masking tape parallel to and approximately 1/32" from the edge of the flooring. Then fill the expansion area with sealant, remove any excess with a plastic scraper or putty knife, then remove the tape.

I don't understand what the means. Am I supposed to squirt silicon based sealant in the area between the edge of the flooring and the wall? Doesn't that run contrary to the purpose of the expansion area? Where is the floor going to expand to if I fill that area in with silocon? I'm confused.

Kevin

joecaption

03-22-2013 08:46 PM

Silicone compresses.

Ler0y Jenkins

03-22-2013 08:54 PM

So do I just buy a few tubes of silicone caulk and squirt it around the edges after the floor is installed?

Also, the underlament has to go up the wall a few inches, so the silicone will be on top if the underlament, correct?

Thanks,

Kevin

joecaption

03-22-2013 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ler0y Jenkins
(Post 1143409)

So do I just buy a few tubes of silicone caulk and squirt it around the edges after the floor is installed?

Also, the underlament has to go up the wall a few inches, so the silicone will be on top if the underlament, correct?

Thanks,

Kevin

Got to put down some tape on the floor first or you'll get it all over the flooring.
You do mean vaper barrer not underlament right?
It does not need to be all over the wall, just up to it.

Ler0y Jenkins

03-22-2013 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption
(Post 1143418)

Got to put down some tape on the floor first or you'll get it all over the flooring.
You do mean vaper barrer not underlament right?
It does not need to be all over the wall, just up to it.

It's a 2-in-1 foam underlayment. Is that not right? Sorry for all the newb questions. This is the first time I'm installing flooring.

Thanks,

Kevin

joecaption

03-22-2013 09:13 PM

You need to be using what ever the company that made the flooring suggest.
There the one going to be warrentying it, not what some box store salemen suggested.
That not to say it the wrong material, I would just check with them first.
Did you also buy the glue they suggest using?

Ler0y Jenkins

03-22-2013 09:16 PM

The instructions just say "install the underlayment," but they dont' say what kind of underlayment. Also, the instruction don't mention glue. I think this particular kind of flooring is supposed to be "clicked" together without glue. Should I glue it anyway?

Kevin

joecaption

03-22-2013 09:21 PM

Then it not engineered flooring then, sounds more like laminite.
Quality engineered would have a plywood core and real wood on top.

Ler0y Jenkins

03-22-2013 09:24 PM

That's what it is... real wood on top, and plywood on the bottom. Here's a link:

Did you read the reviews on that?
One of my neighbors installed it, a year later he removed all of it and replaced with something else because of all the scratches.
If you installing this as a floating floor I've never heard of an engineered floor that's floated without using glue to hold it together.
Better find the install directions and look them over again or check there web site.
Hate to see you have to do it over again.

ddawg16

03-22-2013 10:23 PM

Just to insure you understand what they want....

You leave a gap for expansion....you then fill that gap with silicon....the idea being that if you have a water issue, it does not get into the edge of the flooring.

Fix'n it

03-23-2013 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption
(Post 1143479)

If you installing this as a floating floor I've never heard of an engineered floor that's floated without using glue to hold it together.

mine was like that. i floated it on concrete. i could have glued it down. but i figured it was going to have to be removed some day, by someone. so i made it tons easier for them. but i didn't have to glue it "TOGETHER"

Fix'n it

03-23-2013 10:01 AM

leroy. take 2 boxs of that stuff. assemble it on the floor. then get a chair with wheels on it, and put it on that flooring. now sit in the chair and roll around.
if it doesn't leave any marks, you good to go. if it leaves ANY kind of marks, take it all back.

and i didn't use any kind of sealer/caulk anywhere.

Fix'n it

03-23-2013 10:12 AM

oops .............

joecaption

03-23-2013 10:20 AM

When you say powder room, exactly what's in this room?
No way would I be using that type flooring if there's a toilet, shower or tub in there.